"Thirumandhakunnu Pooram"

Thirumandhakunnu Pooram -My experiences

The temple of Thirumandhakunnu.

Thirumandhakunnu temple is one of the famous Hindu temples located in Angadippuram, a place located very near to perinthalamanna in Malappuram district in Kerala. Its about a distance of less than 4 kms , a journey lasting  8 minutes from Perinthalmanna to the temple.The chief Deity ( Prathishta) of the temple is Goddess "Bhagavathi" locally known as "Thirumandhakunnilamma" the Patron of Valluvanad Kings  who ruled the area  once.The other deities of the temple includes
Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha.
The temple is located on a hill top and offers the devotees (bhakthas) a mindblowing atmosphere with  lot of greenery around.

The temple is well known for its festival known as Thirumandhakunnu Pooram conducted each year constituting special rituals performed as a offering to  Bhagavan (God) and Bhagavathi(Goddess) for sustaining the glory of the temple and for the well being of the devotees of Thirumandhakunnu Kshetram(temple).The unique feature of Thirumandhakunnu pooram is that , the festival is conducted for both Bhagavan and Bhagavathi at the same time.The festival is usually conducted in the months of March -April lasting for 11 days.

The glorious Thirumandhakunnu Pooram

The image of the the Thirumandhakunnu Bhagavathi.






Though I am not a regular visiter to the temple, i have always enjoyed the occasions i was there ,since the temple atmosphere over the hill top after climbing numerous steps gives immense pleasure  and peace of mind.
Thirumandhakunnu pooram which usually occurs at March/April months lasts for 11 days.I usually tries my level best to find some leave and be there atleast for one or two days each year.The pooram is really a great experience especially in the final days.Its really great to watch the Ezhunallippu" with elephant maestros carrying the the " Thidambu" accompanied by the "Melam" performed by eminent artists from the state.






The "Thidambu" idol of  the goddess  lifted by an elephant maestro during the 
"Ezhunallippu"





Atleast once in the  11 days has been a  habit of mine in the past three years.Last two years i went during the earlier days while this year on the 9 th day.During the earlier days the "Ezhunallipu" will be accompanied by three elephants while on the concluding days5 eleohants will increase the charm of the festival.

The ezhunallipu during one of the final days accompanied by 5 elephants





Apart from this the attraction is the "melam" which includes eminent artists performing "chenda , kuzhal, kombu,ilathalam," etc.Getting absorbed in the crowd and enjoying the sound of melam is an unforgettable experience.Along with rhythm of melam ,people carrying the decorates like "venjaamaram, anthalavattam,"over the elephant will move it in a unique style .

The movement of decorates with melam




The pooram also includes some other attractions like pooram stalls.Both sides of the road from entry to the temple will be occupied by stalls like fancy stalls,food corners and many other . The stalls will be equipped with everything to attact children &  ladies like toys,fancy jewellery items, colurful bangles etc.Also it gives us an oppurtunity watch many items from different parts of south India like handicrafts from TamilNadu, paintings,clothes etc.Usually we feels that pooram is satisfied to cent percent only after the  purchase of atleast some thing from the pooram stall....
The 11 th day which is the concluding day will be seen with thousands of people attending the grand festival..Actually the pooram is also a cause for the meet of  local people who are working in different parts of the country and outside it for their living.Atleast once in a year they meet each other during the pooram.So for them and others  its again another long one year wait for the "Pooram" next year to return to the good old days with every one................